Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Eiserloh Story

For Teachers 8th - 12th
Students read "The Eiserloh Story" and evaluate decisions made by the government in time of war. They determine if the government violated the rights of innocent civilians. They identify the Bill of Rights and analyze each Right.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Civil Liberties and War Powers: Korematsu v. United States

For Teachers 11th
Eleventh graders compare and contrast Supreme Court decisions dealing with the application of civil rights during times of war, with emphasis on discrimination and detention. Working in groups, 11th graders review cases and analyze how...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Emerging Democracies in Eastern Europe and Russia: How Are They Doing?

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students consider the success of democracies in Eastern Europe. In this government systems lesson, students research the implementation of democratic practices and rule in the countries of Eastern Europe following the Cold War....
Lesson Plan
Albert Shanker Institute

Economic Causes of the March on Washington

For Teachers 6th - 8th Standards
Money can't buy happiness, but it can put food on the table and pay the bills. The first of a five-lesson plan unit teaches pupils about the unemployment rate in 1963 and its relationship with the March on Washington. They learn how to...
Lesson Plan
National First Ladies' Library

Government: Defending the Bill of Rights

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Pupils examine the proposition of a country without the Bill of Rights. In a role-playing activity, teams of students gather information to build a case for retaining the Bill of Rights and present it before their congressperson.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

George Washington Crossing the Delaware: A Study of Setting and Character

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Middle schoolers examine "Washington Crossing the Delaware." In this American Revolution lesson, students analyze the painting, research its background, and then perform skits based on their findings. 
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Great "What If" Question. How might American history have been different had Lincoln lived?

For Teachers 11th
Eleventh graders study the Presidency of Abraham Lincoln.  In this American History lesson, 11th graders analyze documents related to Reconstruction.  Students participate in a debate on Reconstruction.  
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Writing Exercises: Science and Technology II

For Teachers 10th - 11th
All revolutions in science and technology have both pros and cons. Kids examine the advent of the green revolution, nuclear growth, use, and the countries that are considered nuclear powers. They'll construct three responses to each of...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Political and Cultural Road to the American Revolution

For Teachers 7th - 9th
Learners examine the Declaration of Independence. For this Revolutionary War instructional activity, students use primary sources to analyze how the creation of the Declaration of Independence lead to the development of the United States...
Worksheet
Curated OER

American Government Worksheet 1

For Students 4th - 6th
In this American government learning exercise, students respond to 12 true/false, 11 alphabetical order, 15 fill in the appropriate articles, 15 matching, and 1 cryptogram about the structure of the American government.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

A Hero Betrayed: The Presidency of Ulysses S. Grant

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students analyze the career of Ulysses S. Grant. In this Grant presidency lesson, students listen to their instructor present a lecture regarding the details of Grant's presidency. Students respond to discussion questions regarding the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

This Great Enterprise”: Theodore Roosevelt and the Panama Canal

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Young scholars explore the implications of the "Great Enterprise." In this Panama Canal lesson, students listen to their instructor present a lecture regarding President Teddy Roosevelt and Panama Canal. Young scholars respond...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

My Secret War: Lesson 5

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders determine how freedom comes with rights and responsibilities through literature and poetry about World War II. In this World War II lesson, 5th graders use the letters in the word "infamy" to write an acrostic poem. They...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Government: War Powers Limitations

For Teachers 9th - 11th
Students examine historic examples of authority during wartime. They interpret the Fifth Amendment. They debate the merits of the Patriot Act.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Foreign War and Domestic Freedom: A Delicate Balancing Act

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students investigate civil liberties in the U.S. They watch and discuss a PowerPoint presentation, conduct research on an event from a timeline, complete a worksheet, take an ideology quiz, and conduct a debate.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Clear and Present Danger

For Teachers 7th - 10th
Students assume identities of lawmakers, judges, writers, and protestors during times in American history when freedoms of speech and press were limited because country was on the brink of war or fighting one. Students use primary source...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

African Americans after the Civil War

For Teachers 8th - 12th
Students explore the events of Reconstruction after the Civil War.  In this US History lesson plan, students complete several activities and worksheets that reinforce challenges and social upheaval experienced in the South after the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Homefront: America and WWII

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students are introduced to the experiences of various groups of Americans at home during WWII, highlighting race, gender, and ethnicity. They improve their ability to analyze and interpret historical documents and images.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Whiskey Rebellion and the New American Republic

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Young scholars examine the implications of the passage of the Whiskey Tax of 1791. In this Whiskey Rebellion lesson, students listen to their instructor present a lecture regarding the details of the rebellion. Young scholars respond to...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

War of 1812

For Teachers 8th
Eighth graders locate the major land forms and bodies of water on a map of Louisiana. In groups, they discuss the role of the Mississippi River in the Battle of New Orleans and how land and water affect the outcome of battles. To end...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Reconstruction to Civil Rights

For Teachers 8th
Eighth graders complete a unit of lessons on the period of time from Reconstruction to the Civil Rights movement. They analyze and interpret political cartoons and editorials, conduct research on famous civil rights places, and complete...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Dust Bowl Exodus: How Drought and the Depression Took Their Toll

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students examine the migration of refugees. In this California history instructional activity, students listen to their instructor present a lecture regarding the details of how the Dust Bowl and Great Depression led to a California...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Understanding James Madison The Father of the Constitution

For Teachers 4th - 5th
Students research James Madison and create a table of his strengths and weaknesses. In this James Madison lesson, students read Jean Fritz's, The Great Little Madison, while developing their research skills, vocabulary strategies, and...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Building Awareness of the Japanese American Wartime Experience

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Young scholars research the Japanese American World War II Camp Experience. They discuss the experience in the context of civil rights and the Bill of Rights.